CLOQUET — Nearly 120 acres of land will become part of the Nemadji State Forest south of Cloquet, thanks to a donation from the Trust for Public Land.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources received the land donation from the nonprofit after it acquired parcels bordering the forest from private property owners using grants from the Outdoor Heritage Fund.
The parcel added to the Nemadji State Forest features mixed hardwood forest and protects wildlife habitat in an area valued for outdoor recreation. In addition to habitat and access to the outdoors, the acquisitions support watershed protection, a news release stated.
The donation also provides the opportunity for better forest management and safeguards land from fragmentation due to development, according to the DNR.
A second 257-acre parcel will be added to the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest in southeastern Minnesota.
"Minnesotans love their public lands because they provide important environmental, recreational and economic benefits, which is why the DNR is thrilled to add more than 350 acres of forest and grassland to the state forest system," stated DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen in the release.
“We’re grateful for the partnership of Trust for Public Land in bringing these opportunities to completion.”
The Nemadji State Forest is located in northeastern Pine and southeastern Carlton counties, along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. It can be reached by traveling east via county highways joining Highway 23 near the towns of Askov, Bruno, Kerrick, Duquette, Nickerson and Holyoke.
The forest landscape varies from gently rolling upland with large swamps in the south to steep stream valley and elongated swamps protruding into the forest in the northeast, the DNR reports.
Recreational opportunities include overnight camping and hunting, with 100 miles of trails dedicated to all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and snowmobiles.
Sophie Vorhoff, Minnesota state director with Trust for Public Land, said the acquisition provides more space for recreation and connecting with nature.
"We are thrilled to contribute to the conservation of some of Minnesota's treasured landscapes and maintain a critical watershed for generations to come," she stated.